CO2 Separation from Flue Gases by Chemical Scrubbing and Apparatus for Carrying Out the Process

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This invention describes a method and apparatus for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gases using chemical absorption, and simultaneously utilizing waste heat from the CO2 separation process to dry coal, particularly lignite (brown coal). In the process, hot CO2 and vaporized absorbent, after CO2 has been released from the absorbent, are directed to a coal drying unit as a heat source before the CO2 is separated and recovered. This integrated approach aims to improve energy efficiency by making use of waste heat that would otherwise be discarded.

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• Power plants, especially those using lignite or other high-moisture coals, to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency.
• Retrofit of existing coal-fired plants to implement carbon capture with integrated coal drying.
• Industrial plants with combustion processes and flue gas CO2 emissions, seeking energy-efficient carbon capture.
• Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects aiming for cost-effective and sustainable operations.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significant reduction in overall energy consumption for both CO2 capture and coal drying processes compared to separate operations.
• Improved power plant efficiency by utilizing waste heat instead of extracting additional steam or power for coal drying.
• Lower operational costs due to decreased need for external energy and cooling water.
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by enabling more effective CO2 capture together with improved combustion efficiency from drier fuel.
• Potential for easier integration into existing thermal power plants, supporting compliance with future environmental regulations.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing carbon dioxide from a flue gas, comprising the steps: - the flue gas (a) is fed to an absorption unit (1), in which at least part of the CO2 is absorbed from the flue gas by means of a liquid absorbent (d) fed to the absorption unit, - the liquid absorbent (c) enriched with CO2 is fed to a desorption unit (2) and heated, wherein at least a part of the CO2 is released from the absorbent, - the released CO2 is discharged (e) from the desorption unit together with the portion of absorbent evaporated in the desorption unit, and fed to a gas/liquid separating unit (3a), - in the gas/liquid separating unit, the gaseous CO2 is separated (g) from the absorbent that has been condensed out. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the released CO2 is first fed (4) from the desorption unit to a coal drying unit as a heat-transfer medium (e) together with the portion of absorbent evaporated in the desorption unit before the released CO2 is fed to the gas/liquid separating unit.